Planning granted for more than 120 new homes in Athy
Stock planning
The first development, 38 homes, is located to the east of the Whitecastle Lawns housing estate and to the south of the Cois Bhearú housing estate is composed of 91 housing units and a two-storey creche facility.
The developer behind the projects is Bettystown Developments, based in Dublin. Planning permission was granted by Kildare County Council but was appealed by Whitecastle Lawns Residents’ Association and Cois Bhearu Cluan Residents Association.
The larger scheme also provides for a two-storey creche.
Access to the development would be from the adjoining Cois Bhearú to the north.
Plans include a range of associated works such as car parking, open spaces, hard and soft landscaping, an ESB substation, and the demolition of the existing mill structure on site.
The proposal also incorporates the extension and upgrade of the existing footpath to a cycle path at Corrain Bhearú to connect to path on Monasterevin Road/Rathstewart Road.
Residents contend that there was no proper consultation prior to the plan being put through.
Some of the other concerns related to the upgraded cycle path and the impact of these new connections to the existing estates, increased traffic, flooding, lack of parking, and overlooking on existing estates, among other concerns.
These concerns were included in the final decision to grant permission for the development, with the final inspector’s report finding the proposal suitable to be go ahead, providing the applicant meet with a set of conditions.
